Since opening in 2013, the confines of Investors Group Field in Winnipeg have been very friendly to Bo Levi Mitchell.

The gunslinger made his first CFL start for the Red and White on the road against the Blue Bombers four years ago and put up a gaudy 376 yards and three touchdowns in the 37-24 victory.

“That’s where he got his first start and he was excellent,” remembered his coach, Dave Dickenson.

QB Bo Levi Mitchell during his first CFL start on July 26, 2013 (Canadian Press/John Woods)

Ever since that game, Bo has been extremely comfortable in Winnipeg.

He’s averaged 318.2 passing yards per game with a 74.8 completion percentage. He’s also thrown 11 touchdown’s to just five interceptions in five road games against the Bombers.

“Any time you play somewhere really well, especially the first time you play there, it always gives you that aura that you can go back there and do it again,” said Mitchell. “That’s the type of confidence that I need to exude to the entire team. I think they feel the same way.”

Since Mitchell took over as the Stamps starting QB in 2014, the Stamps have yet to lose to the Blue Bombers on the road.

But while the Stamps are faithful that the winning ways will continue, past success doesn’t mean anything.

“Our track record in Winnipeg, especially in the new stadium has been pretty good,” said Mitchell. “We know that, they know that. But we also know that it has no bearing on the game.

“The past few years, we’ve just had their number. But it doesn’t mean that games haven’t been competitive. There’s been plenty of games where we won by a field goal and if we miss that kick, they’re winning the game. So, it’s not that they haven’t been competitive or they haven’t been right there with us, we’ve just been pulling it out in the end.”

The two teams will match up for the first time in 2017 on Friday night and the Bombers are fresh off of a 43-40 overtime win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their first game of the season.

Heading into Winnipeg’s home-opener, the Stamps are expecting a boisterous crowd to welcome them to Investors Group Field.

Bo will need to bring his A-game — like he always has to Winnipeg — if the Stamps are to beat the Blue Bombers.

“It’s probably the loudest stadium in the league,” said Mitchell. “We’ve got to be ready for the noise. Our communication has to be on point. I know they’ll be tweeting and begging fans to get out there and be loud and be cheering to try and disrupt that. We know we’ll have to play fast with the silent cadence.”

“We do think it’s going to be a super-tough game, a challenge. I think both teams are looking forward to seeing how we stack up and it’s their home-opener,” said Dickenson. “Bo has been consistent for basically ever, but he has played some of his best football against Winnipeg and we’ll need that to win.”

Quarterbacks Bo Levi Mitchell and Matt Nichols after a game on Sept. 24, 2016 (Photo by Johany Jutras)

On Friday night, Bo will be competing against Matt Nichols, a good friend and the quarterback he succeeded at Eastern Washington.

“I think its always fun to play against Matt. He’s a guy that did it before me over at Eastern. I came in and got some of his records but didn’t get some as well. It’s always been that camaraderie but also that competitiveness between us. Smiles and laughs before the game, but I hope he plays great and loses the game.”